St. Peter's Basilica, Papal Tombs Tour and Optional Dome Climb
- 2h 30m
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Start your journey with an expert-led tour of St. Peter's Basilica, the heart of the Catholic Church. Your guide will share insights into its history, construction, and evolution from early Christianity to its Renaissance and Baroque redesign. Visit the Grottoes, the peaceful resting place of numerous popes, including St. Peter, with stories about their lives and influences. For a magnificent view, opt for the dome climb. Ascend 551 steps, or take an elevator to reduce it to 320, passing through narrow passageways and appreciating the architecture up close. At the top, enjoy a panoramic view of the eternal city, Vatican Gardens, the River Tiber, and Rome's cityscape
Inclusions
What's included
- Audio System for an enhanced guided experience
- Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica and Papal tombs
- Professional English Speaking Tour Guide
- Entry Tickets to the Dome (If option selected)
What's not
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Food and drinks
Itinerary
You begin your journey with an expert-led tour of Saint Peter's Basilica, a masterpiece and the heart of Catholic Church. The basilica contains a wealth of artistic and architectural marvels, such as stunning mosaics, grand columns, and richly decorated chapels. During the tour, the guide will share tales of the basilica's construction, and its redesign by Renaissance and Baroque maestros.
After exploring the basilica, you'll head to the Grottoes, where is the final resting place of Popes, including St. Peter. Your guide will share historical insights and stories about their lives and influences. This tour segment offers a chance to reflect on the enduring significance of the papacy.
The optional dome climb offers an unforgettable view of Rome. Climb 551 steps, or take an elevator to reduce it to 320. Pass through narrow passageways and spiral staircases, seeing stunning architecture up close. At the top, enjoy a breathtaking, panoramic view of the Vatican Gardens, River Tiber, and Rome's cityscape, highlighting ancient ruins, historic churches, and bustling piazzas. This unique perspective showcases Rome's timeless beauty.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.5
- 51
- 41
- 30
- 20
- 10
Ratings come from 2 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- Please arrive at the meeting point 30 minutes before the activity start time. Meet us at the Piazza del Sant'uffizio, 6/7, located approximately 2 minutes away from the Vatican Museums. You will find our colleagues at the square wearing purple shirts to guide you on your tours.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Tickets
- Tickets are redeemed at a different location from the meeting point.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 20 travellers
- Operated by
- MDA TOURS
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
How it compares in Rome
- Its from-price is 75% below the median of the 8352 experiences we list in Rome.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- By number of reviews it ranks 4160 of 8352.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Rome
Rome layers nearly three thousand years of history into one walkable city, from the Colosseum and Forum to Baroque piazzas and Vatican art.
Ancient Rome is still in plain sight. The Colosseum, the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill sit together at the city's heart, the Pantheon still stands with its open oculus, and fragments of temples and aqueducts turn up between apartment blocks. Across the Tiber, Vatican City holds St Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums and Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling.
Top-ranked sights in Rome: Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel.
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